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CAPITOLA — Organizers of the Capitola Begonia Festival, which concluded in 2017 after 65 years, have formed a new event. At the conclusion of the final festival, the Capitola Begonia Festival Board of Directors developed a plan to honor past festivals and launch a new festival. The board formed the Capitola Beach Festival Committee.

The American Red Cross has a critical shortage of type O blood and urges eligible donors to give now to help patients facing trauma and other life-threatening situations.

CENTRAL COAST—The first strong rain since May ventured into the Monterey Bay Tuesday afternoon and is expected to soak the Central Coast on and off over the next several days. Anna Schneider, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service of Monterey, said the moisture is...

SANTA CRUZ — The former Santa Cruz neurosurgeon who allegedly molested numerous children in crimes caught on videotape was found dead Sunday morning. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s office believes he committed suicide. James Kohut, 59, was in custody since May 2017 in lieu of $7.5...

There were several events special for the fair’s opening day. As per tradition, the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and the Watsonville Firefighters Association hosted the Opening Day Barbecue in Paddy Smith Park. People enjoyed a lunch of tri-tip, salad and garlic bread while South Bay Swing Band performed nearby on the Amphitheater Stage.

APTOS — On Jan. 13, the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers will hold its annual winter Scion Exchange at the Cabrillo College Horticulture Center in Aptos from noon to 3 p.m.

NBA G League President Malcolm Turner speaks during a luncheon at the Seascape Resort recently. Photo by Mark Stover

A beautification effort of the Village four years ago resulted in permitting processes and fees being put in place before shops could legally place signs or display wares outside their shop.

CAPITOLA — St. John’s Helpful Shop in Capitola Village is preparing to move out and find a new home after 65 years. A literal cornerstone of the village, St. John’s Helpful Shop first opened at its location on the corner of Monterey and Capitola avenues in 1953. Women from the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, then located in the Depot Hill area of Capitola, opened the store to raise money for a new church carpet. Gradually, the church grew, and the shop became a way for St. John’s to expand its community outreach. Church and community members alike volunteer their time at the shop, with all proceeds given as grants to local nonprofits. The building that houses the Helpful Shop recently changed hands, said shop volunteer Daniel Oliver. This has prompted them to move out and possibly find a new location. “We’re currently making a decision of where and when we can reopen,” Oliver said. “We’d like to get the word out and ask help from the community.” In 2018, St. John’s Helpful Shop helped support 26 different organizations across the region — including Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Homeless Services Center, Native Animal Rescue, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County and more. “That’s really the whole point,” Oliver said. “The outreach. We’d really like to keep that going.” Aug. 25 was the Helpful Shop’s final day open at its Capitola Village location. The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist is now located at 125 Canterbury Drive in Aptos, and Helpful Shop volunteers say they hope to find a location not too far from the church itself — but are open to other ideas. To contact St. John’s Helpful Shop, visit st-john-aptos.org.

Multiple Santa Cruz County law enforcement agencies responded Friday afternoon to the discovery of a butane honey oil (BHO) lab at 120 Sea Terrace Way in Aptos. Homeowners of the large vacation rental home were checking on the residence and noticed doors kicked in and a strong chemical smell coming from somewhere inside, Sgt. Brian Cleveland of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office said.